Entrepreneurship Without Borders

Course Objectives

This course aims to help students develop a broader and global perspective towards entrepreneurship and apply best practices in their local markets, by comparing startup cases from different countries around the world including the US, Europe, China, Japan, India, Southeast Asia, and Africa. The course analyzes how different social norms, government regulations, economic environment, corporate cultures, and personal behaviors affect entrepreneurship. It also discusses not only the rewards and “what-to-do’s” for entrepreneurs, but also the ”pains” and “what-not-to-do’s”.

From this course, students will:  

  • be able to understand the fundamental motivations of entrepreneurs in different cultures so as to uncover their own inner drive towards entrepreneurship 
  • have a comprehensive overview of a startup’s growth path and be prepared to manage potential risks effectively
  • identify venture investment sources and processes in different regions and be well-prepared when interacting with investors
  • depict the key areas for a startup, including market opportunity evaluation, Sales and Marketing planning and execution, product and/or service development, human resource management, etc. in an effort to help them  develop practical capabilities to grow a startup
  • examine the meaning of “leadership” through real-life startup scenarios in different countries and build a firm foundation toward becoming a strong entrepreneurial leader with global perspectives
  • be required  to form teams and develop business plans by leveraging cross-border knowledge and local market understanding

This course is intended for any student who is interested in entrepreneurship with a global perspective. Some basic knowledge in writing a business plan is helpful but not required.

Course Details

Programs: Full-time MBA, Part-time & Online MBA
Discipline: Special Course
Course Level: Specialized Course
Required/Elective Course: Elective Course
Number of Credits: 1.5
Report: Day 6
Hours Per Class: 3 hours
Class Capacity: 35

*Due to the characteristics of the course, application of the substitute class and leave of absence system is not available.

Theme/Reading Materials

Day 1
Session A
THEMEGlobal Entrepreneurship - New Opportunities, New Challenges
CASE

Entrepreneurship Goes Global

Session B
THEMEThe "Human Side" of Entrepreneurship 
CASEApple's Core
 
Day 2
Session A
THEMEFrom an Idea in Europe to an IPO in the US
CASE

Zipcar: Refining the Business Model

Session B
THEMEDeveloping a Winning Global Business Model
CASE

Uber and Stakeholders: Managing a New Way of Riding

 
Day 3
Session A
THEMEInnovations from China
CASE

Xiaomi: Designing an Ecosystem for the “Internet of Things”

Session B
THEMEChinese Companies Going Global - Challenges and Opportunities
CASE

Xiaomi: Entering International Markets

 
Day 4
Session A
THEMEEntrepreneurship in Japan
CASEKazuo Inamori, a Japanese Entrepreneur
Takahiko Naraki, The Three Million Yen Entrepreneur
Session B
THEMEBuilding and Growing Businesses in India
CASE

d.light Design: Marketing Channel Strategies in India
GK: Building Businesses in India

Day 5
Session A
THEMEPushing e-Commerce in Africa
CASEJumia Nigeria: from Retail to Marketplace (A)(HBS)
Session B
THEMEThriving Entrepreneurship in Southeast Asia
CASE

Nium: Leveraging Fintech to Disrupt Cross-border remittance Services

Day 6
Session A
THEMECross-border Business Plan Presentation
CASEN/A
Session B
THEMECross-border Business Plan Presentation

CASE

N/A

Faculty

Alex Wang
Alex Wang
Global/Asia/Japan
COURSES:
Entrepreneurship Without Borders
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